Yup, Powerful Peanut Butter Cups. Tasty! They are powerful, packed with protein and healthy fats, and satisfying. These Peanut Butter Cups adhere to the guidelines for an S dessert in the book ‘Trim Healthy Mama’ by Serene Allison and Pearl Barrett. I have been cooking, baking and eating the Trim Healthy Mama way for a few weeks now and these are some of my favorite treats. I’ve added a crunchiness option for those who like more texture in their treats, like my dad, who likes crunch in nearly all his meals. Whether it’s in his yogurt and berry snack or on his pancake (In the form of crunchy peanut butter or a sprinkle of granola), he likes a little *crunch*. It’s funny to see the little differences that make people unique- my mom, for example, wants her pancake to be a pancake (smooth peanut butter, please) and let the yogurt’s smoothness stand on it’s own. You see, my mom doesn’t like being interrupted; those little walnuts in that muffin are like a hundred little interruption in every bite. Those same crunchies that make my dad feel like he’s eating man-food, interrupt my mom’s peaceful moment while eating her muffin.Whichever texture you prefer, you have options. Give this recipe a try!

Powerful Peanut Butter Cups

Chocolate:¼ cup cheap coconut oil¼ cup virgin coconut oil¼ cup butter¼ cup peanut butter¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder1 tsp vanilla extract1 tsp almond extractStevia to taste (I used 10 drops of Swanson Brand stevia drops)Dashes of salt to taste (Our PB has no salt added)Melt all the oils and butters together in a double boiler over low heat. Once melted, stir in other ingredients until smooth. Pour chocolate into approx. 14 muffin cups until bottom of cup is just covered. I put the chocolate into a small pitcher with a spout for this part. Don't use more then half of the chocolate! Place cups in freezer to set while making the peanut butter filling.Peanut Butter Filling: ¼ cup peanut butter2 TBS butter, softened or melted1 tsp vanilla 1 scoop of whey protein powder (I use Swanson Premium Brand Unsweetened Vanilla) Stevia to taste (3 drops)Dashes of salt to tasteOptional crunchiness: ¼ cup of any of the following in any combination: unsweetened, shredded coconut; chopped nuts; flax seeds; chia seeds; or sprouted, dried buckwheat (but no more then 2 TBS)- use your imagination!Mix all ingredients vigorously until blended. Remove muffin cups from freezer and place about 2 tsp of peanut butter filling in each cup. You may need to pat the filling down so that the chocolate will cover it. Once all cups have filling, use reserved chocolate to cover the filling. Return to freezer to solidify. Store in freezer until ready to eat. -------------------------------------If I have chocolate leftover then I make a chocolate bar. If I have extra filling then I add more coconut and roll it into Tablespoon sized balls and freeze. My mind could run wild thinking of all the exciting variations that this recipe could have. Replace the peanut butter with more coconut oil in the chocolate, and make a filling out of anything you like. Example filling ideas- Coconut with an almond (think almond joy!), blueberries mixed with yogurt, cookie dough (THM approved of course ;) ), a slice of strawberry, espresso beans or any type of chopped nuts.Have fun using your imagination! Bethany

I am going to tell how I made an apron from some fabric that we accumulated throughout the years. For this particular apron my mom helped me make the pattern. We got some ideas from looking on the internet, I liked the way it looked with the ruffle on it, and I also liked the way it looked with one pocket.

Some of the reasons I decided to make my own apron was to get more practice on the sewing machine, let me tell you; I still need some practice.Ummm...... do you ever have trouble with store bought aprons; not fitting right? Most aprons cover one half of you or the other! Warning you ahead of time, towards the end I got a little excited about finishing and forgot to take pictures :(

So first things first. Choosing the fabric, very hard!

So many to chose from!

I ended up choosing a plain, medium blue fabric, with a cute, patterned one, it had little bird houses and flowers on it.

Here my mom and I cut out the homemade pattern and I am pinning it to the fabric and getting ready to cut it out.

You can't see the fabric underneath the news paper but I cut the fabric out.

This is the pattern for the pocket. I folded the circle in half, and cut a little of the edge so it looked more like a oval unfolded.

Here the apron is cut out (it is folded in half) and the pocket is sewn on! The pocket has a slight tuck to make it a little puffy.

Close up on the pocket.

I really liked the way the pocket turned out.

Here's the apron unfolded with the pocket sewn on.

This is the ruffle cut out that will go on the bottom.

I sewed a running stich and I am gathering it to fit the bottom border.

I just pinned the ruffle to the bottom of the apron and now I am getting ready to sew it!

Here are the pinned sides to make a finished side.

This is with the ruffle on and the sides pinned.

And as I got so excited that I was very close to finishing my first apron I forgot to take pictures of me putting on the binding :(.

So here's the finished project! Yay!

"She is energetic and strong, a hard worker. She makes sure her dealings are profitable; her lamp burns late into the night.Her hands are busy spinning thread, her fingers twisting fiber." Proverbs 31: 17-19

This year my mom has gotten into quilt making again. My Mom wanted to make some kid sized quilts and Lydia wanted to make some quilts out of some fabric given to her. My Mom finished one kid quilt, she used the pattern “Cheaper by the Half Dozen” she started last Monday and started another one this this Monday with the same pattern.

Lydia is doing the same pattern as my Mom, it seems to me that it is quick and easy.

Hey everyone, I hope you all had a great week. These photos are from the week my mom and Lydia started their quilts, so most of the pictures are of quilts. As you will be able to tell I missed a few days last week, but I will keep trying to do better.

Canned salmon,it looks very gross but is very good once it is made into patties. :)